Adjustable chair



spt. 4, 1934.

L. E. GOENEN ET AL ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Filed Oct. 22, 1930 gwuwvtoz Zeooenen/ fa/WSA. @arrow 40 Y a slot through which said bolt extends.

Patented Sept. 4,1934

wir1:1511V OFFICE` j 1,972,338 Y v [ADJUSTABLE cHAIa Leo E. Geenenand'James AfGari-ow, StQPaul, Minn., assignors to'The `Fritz-CrossCompany, Su PauLyMinn., a corporation of .Minnesota Application October225 1930,"7Serial No. k490,434

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to` chairs and particularlyY to chairs providedwith back rests and has for an object to provide an adjusting devicetherefor whereby the back rest may be easily and quickly adjusted bothin an up and vdown direction and in a back and forth direction.

Another object ofy the invention resides in providing an uprighthingedly connected to the rearward portion of the seat oi the chair anda brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly of said upright andextending in proximity to said upright at the upper end thereof.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a pivotforhingedly connecting the upper portions of said upright and bracetogether, said pivot being slidable relative to one thereof.

A feature 4of the invention resides in providing an attaching memberforsaid back rest, and in mounting said attaching member onsaidY pivot.

An object of the invention resides in providing either the upright orthe brace with a slot through which saidfpivot extends for guiding theparts for sliding movementrrelative to one another.

Another object of the invention resides iii-preferably disposing saidslot in said brace member.`

A still further object 'of the invention resides in employing a boltfors'aid pivot, said bolt extending jointly Ythrough said attachingmember,

brace, and upright, and serving Yto clamp the` parts in adjustedposition.

A feature of the invention resides in forming said attaching memberL-shaped havinga substantially horizontal and a substantially verticalleg.

Anobject of the invention resides in attaching the back rest to thehorizontal leg `of said attaching member and in passing the bolt throughthe vertical leg thereof.

YAnother object rof the invention resides `in forming the vertical legof said back rest with A still further object of the invention residesin providing. aV member movable with ,saidI bolt and having meansextending through both the' slot in said brace Aand the slot in saidattaching member for assisting in guiding said attaching member forsliding movement Valong said brace.

A. feature of the invention resides in constructing said last namedmember in the form of, a washer mounted upon said bolt "and having atongue extending jointly through the slot in said attaching member andsaid brace for assisting in guiding said attaching member for slidingmovement relative to said brace.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In thedrawing:

Fig., 1 is a perspective view of 'a chair illus- 60 trating anembodiment of my invention.

` Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevational views of the seat structure ofthechairshowing the kback rest in various adjusted positions.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary detail eleva- 65 tional views of the backrest mounting structure illustrating the attaching member in differentpositions, and drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 6 is alongitudinalsectional View taken on line y6 6 of Fig. 4. f

In the adjustment of chairs having adjustable 'back rests, considerabledifficulty has been encounteredwhere independent up and down and backand forth adjustment had-to be made, and

particularly where one of the adjustments would alter the adjusted'position of the back rest procured through the other adjustment. Thepresent invention provides an extremely simple and effective devicewhereby both adjustments may be made at one time, if desired, andwhereby two clamping bolts may be utilized to clamp allof the partsrigidly in any desired adjusted position.

For the purposeof illustrating the application of rour invention, wehave shown in a drawing, a chair indicated in its entirety at A. Thischair comprises a seat 10 which is carried by a seat framelll'constructedA with side members 12 and front and rear members 13. Theseat frame. 11 has attached `to it a standard-14 which is slidablymounted in a, crown block 15 and which is adapted tobe held in adjustedposition relative theretothrough a latch bolt 16 mounted in the crownblock .and adapted to engage any of a number of notches or holes 17, inthe/standard 11i. Attached to the crown block 15 are four legs 18, 19,20 and 21 which fiare outwardly from said crown `block and which haveattached to the outer ends thereof casters 22 -which function in theordinary manner to properly support the seat structure 10. Theparticularvconstruction of the seat 10 and the supporting structuretherefore being old in the art, the structure disclosedhas been shownmerely for the purpose of illustration, andk it can readily becomprehended that any seat construction and supporting structuretherefore may be employed.

In ,conjunction with the seat 10 and supporting structure therefore aback rest 40 is employed which may be constructed yin any suita cushion41 and a back 42 to which the cushion is attached. The back rest 42 iscarried by a supporting structure indicated in its entirety at 43 whichwill now be described in detail.

To the rearward portions of the side members 12 of the seat frame l11are pivoted at 23 two uprights 24 and 25 which are' preferably curved asdesignated at 26 in Figs. 2 and 3 to bring the upper portions thereofrearwardly of the chair when extending in a substantially verticaldirecf tion. In conjunction with the two uprights 24 and 25, two braces27 and 28 are employed which are pivotedv forwardly of the uprights 24and 25 to the side frame membersV 12 of the frame 11 as designated at29. The braces 27 and 28k are formed with bends 30 and 31 to provideoffset portions 32 at the upper portions of the same. The upper ends ofthe two braces 27 and 28 are connected together through a bridge member34 which maybe integrally constructed with respect thereto. In theconstruction of both the uprights and braces, the same may be`preferably y formed of bar or strap material either rectangular orhalfI round in cross section. lWith the present invention, theuprights24 and 25 have been illustrated as constructed o f half round materialand the braces 27 and 28 as constructed of constructed, the bridgemember` 34 may be rformed by providing quarter twists 35 in the middleat the upper portions of the offset 32 which permit of bending thebridge member 34 to more nearly conform to the curvature of thebackrest. y 28, the uprights 24 and 25 are similarly con-l structed withbends 36 and 37 to provide offsets 38 adapted to overlie the 'oifsetportions 32 of g. said braces.

, The back rest 40 is attached to the back rest supporting structure 43by a construction now to be described in detail. `Attached to the back42 of the back rest 40 are two'brackets 44 which are constructed withoutwardly extending earsy 45. These brackets may be 'secured to the back42 in any suitable manner as by screws 46 (Fig. 4) or in' any otherdesired manner. The brackets 44 are supported on two attaching members47 I ,and 48 rwhich are identical in construction and `sheet metal andis preferably L-shaped to pro,-

vide a substantially vertical leg 49 and a substantially horizontal leg50. The ear of the bracket 44 is pivoted to the leg 50 through a rivet51 or other suitable structure. In the other leg 49 of this attachingmember is formed a longitudinal slot 53 which extends substantiallythroughout the length thereof. In the oif-V set portions 32 of braces 27and 28 are formed similar slots 52 of the same width as the slot 53 butof somewhat greater length. A bolt 54 passes w jointly through the slots52 and 53 of the offset portions 32 and attaching member 48 and furtherthrough a hole 55 in the offset portion 38 of the upright 25. A thumbnut 56 threaded to screw upon the end of the bolt 54 servesto clamp al1vof the parts together to hold the same in adjusted position.

In conformity to the braces 27 and.

able manner and which is preferably formed with f To prevent theattaching member 48 from swinging relative to the brace 28 and to guidethe same for longitudinal sliding movement relv54 is adapted. to passthrough said washer and a square shoulder 60 on said bolt is seated in asquare hole 59 in washer 57 whereby said bolt is held from rotation. Thetongue 58 cooperating with the bolt 54 serves to guide the attachingmember48 for sliding movement relative to the `slot-52. Although I haveshown the washer 57 constructed with but a single tongue issuingoutwardly therefrom, it can readily be comprehended that said washer maybe constructed with two such tongues arranged on opposite sides of thebolt 54 so that the bolt 54 need not be relied upon for guiding theparts for sliding movement. Such construction being obvious has not beenillustrated in the drawing. The attaching member 48 is further guidedfor movement along the brace 28 through an ear 61 which is struck outfrom said attaching member and which engages the edge of said brace. Aspreviously stated, kboth brackets 44 are supported in identical mannerupon the respective offset portions 32 Vand 38 of the braces 27 and 28and the uprights 24 and 25.

Where the chair is to be fitted to a relatively shortperson, the backrestis assembled with the back rest so disposed that the legs 49 of theattaching membersV 48 extend upwardly from the legs 50 as shown in Fig.4. The bolts 54 are then inserted through thev holes 59 in the washer 57through both the slots 52 and 53 andthroughv the hole 55 in the offsetportion 38 of the respective uprights 24 and 25. The parts may then beVadjusted and clamped in position by tightening the nuts 56. Wherethe'chair is to be fitted to' a relatively tall person, the back restmay be entirely removed from the chair and inverted causing the legs 49of the attaching members 48 to extend downwardly. from the legs 50'asindicated in Fig. 5. Theparts maythen be bolted together in exactly thesame manner as'when assembled as illustrated in Fig. 4 leaving the backrest in a relatively higher position. In theuse of the device, it itmerely necessary to loosen both of the nuts 56. By graspingrthesupporting structure 43 through the bridge member 34, the entiresupporting structure may be swung from its extreme forward position asshown in Fig. 2 to its extremerearward position as shown in Fig. 3.During such movement the bolts 54 slide along the slots 52Yin the offsetportions 32 of the braces 27 and 28. Through such movement, the back andAforth position of the back rest may be adjusted to accommodate theperson to be seated. When the proper back and forth A.position has beenprocured, the back rest 40 may be raised or lowered bodily by slidingthe attaching members 48 along the bolts 54. During such move.- mentsaid bolts ride along the slots 53. During such movement the attachingmembers 47 kand 48 are deprived of rotation through said bolts andthrough the tongues 58 on the washer 57. In this manner up and downadjustment of the back rest may be procured independently of the backand forth adjustment. When the back rest has been properly positioned,both of the nuts 56 may be tightened and the parts thereafter remain inadjusted position. If desired, both adjustlos ments may be madesimultaneously by moving the back rest in the desired manner. Where theheight cannot be properly adjusted through the up and down adjustmentafforded by slot 53 in the attaching member 48, the attachment of thesemembers to the offset portions 32 of the braces 27 and 28 may bereversed as previously brought out and as disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5 sothat further adjustment may be had.`

Although we have described the parts as constructed with slots, yet it.can readily be comprehended that series of holes may berused in placethereof or any other suitable device for guiding the parts for slidingmovement may be employed.

rThe advantages of our invention are manifest. The back rest may bereadily adjusted to any height or brought to any back and forth positionwith respect to the seat. The adjustment of the chair may be quickly andeasily accomplished and may be secured by merely manipulating thesupporting structure and the back rest proper. The parts may besimultaneously locked in adjusted position by the two bolts provided andwhen so locked are rigidly held in place. The device is extremely lightin construction and attractive in appearance.

Changes in the specific form of our invention may be made within thescope of what is claimedl without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright, said brace having a longitudinal slot at the upper endthereof, a boit extending through said upright and through the slot insaid brace for pivote-ily and slidably connecting said brace and uprighttogether, an attaching member mounted on said bolt and movable in thesame direction as pivot, and a back rest carried by said attachingmember.

2. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright, said brace having a longitudinal slot at the upper endthereof, said upright lying along said brace on one side thereof, anattaching member lying along said brace on the opposite side thereof,and a bolt extending jointly through said attaching member, the slot insaid brace and through said upright for slidably connecting saidattaching member relative to said brace, said bolt serving to clamp saidparts in adjusted position.

A chair comprising a seat, a baci; rest supporting structure extendingupwardly therefrom, L-shaped attaching member having a slot in one legthereof, a bolt extending through said slot and through said supportingstructure, a back rest attached to the other leg of said attachingmember, said attaching member being slidable along said bolt, and meansheld from rearward and forward movement relative to said supportingstructure and engaging within the slot of said attaching member, saidmeans assisting in guiding said back rest for up and down movement.

4l. A chair comprising a seat, a back rest supporting structureextending upwardly therefrom including a member having a slot extendingin an up and down direction, an L-shaped attaching member having asubstantially horizontal and a substantially verticalleg and formed witha slot in its vertical leg, a back rest attached to the horizontal legof said attaching member, a bolt extending jointly through both of theslots of the attaching member and the member of said supportingstructure, and meansmovable with said',

bolt and disposed within both of said slots for assisting in guidingsaid attaching member for up and down movement.

5. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright,one thereof having a longitudinal slot, a bolt passingthrough said slot andthrough the other thereof for pivotally andslidably connecting said brace and upright together, an L- shapedattaching member having a slot in one leg thereof, said bolt alsoextending through said attaching member slot, a back rest carried by theother Vleg of said attaching member, and means movable with said boltand extending kthrough both of said slots for assisting in guiding saidattaching member for sliding movement.

6. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingediy connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright, one thereof having a longitudinal slot, a bolt passingthrough said slot and through the other thereof for pivotally andslidably connecting said brace-'and upright together, an l-- shapedattaching member having a slot in one leg thereof, said bolt alsoextending through said attaching member slot, a back rest carriedby theother leg of said attaching` member, and a washer on said bolt having yatongue extending jointly through both of said slots for assisting inguiding said attaching member for sliding movement.

7; A chair comprising a seat, a pair of uprights pivoted to the rearwardportions of said seat, a pair of braces pivoted to said seat forwardlyof said uprights, guides on one thereof, bolts extending throughcorresponding pairs of uprights and braces and slidable along saidguides, L-shaped attaching slots and serving to clamp said backrest invertical adjusted position, said back rest being reversible tointerchange the attaching members so as to cause the horizontal legs toextend outwardly from said uprights and braces at different elevationswith respect thereto.

8. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright, one thereof having a longitudinal slot at its upper end, abolt extending through the other thereof and through said slot forpivotally and slidably connecting the brace and upright together, anattaching member mounted on said bolt, and a back rest carried by saidattaching member.

9. A chair comprising a seat, an upright hingedly connected to the seatat the rear thereof, a brace hingedly connected to the seat forwardly ofsaid upright, an attaching member, said brace, upright and attachingmember having juxtaposed parts, and connecting means for connecting l

